Ian McKenzie gets to know Nick Rider, the new CEO at England Squash,  who takes the helm today.

Nick Rider, the new Chief Executive at England Squash, has picked up the poisoned chalice dropped by his predecessors with a sense of optimism.

Squash has had its difficulties. There have been high expectations, limited resources, continuing decline and grass-roots disenchantment. The Association has as part of its heritage the world’s most prestigious tournament, the British Open, but the task of managing and funding this event has been difficult and the collapse of its rights agreement with Fablon led to a well documented financial crisis and the appointment of the Association’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Lister as a Sport England trouble-shooter to disentangle the body’s financial affairs.

The Association has survived by the re-allocation of grant money with Sport England’s blessing and it is into this aftermath of crisis that Rider steps with optimism. Some would say that his optimism is somewhat misplaced but, having been the sport’s Governing Body Manager at Sport England, he is better informed than most on the recent experience of the Association and is realistic about its future.

Rider was introduced to squash after school at the Wimbledon Squash and Badminton Club by John Wyatt, a teacher keen on the sport. He played a little at university and later with colleagues at the Brixton recreational centre. When asked whether his experience as a recreational player can fit him to lead the sport, he explains: “I am passionate about sports overall. Not having in-depth knowledge of squash is not a handicap. It is the skills and experience to do the job that are important.

“It is not my job to come in and say, ‘These are the answers’. It is my job to come in and run the organisation in such a way that we can find the answers. We can do that by consulting as widely as possible within the sport.

“I want to run the organisation in such a way that we can move the sport forward and we can create a strategic framework which everyone agrees about. We need to have a proper structure in which to channel energy and opinions.”

When asked what were the skills he would bring to the position he was quick to respond: “Strong organisational, financial and management skills,” he says.

Being a Governing Body Manager at Sport England involves a wide mix of skills and organisational abilities that Rider has developed over time. It is important, says Rider, to have an understanding of sports development and a background in sport to do the job well.

Rider has always had a love of sport and when the opportunity came to move from his administrative position at Marathon Oil to the Sports Council he took it. Now, ten years later, the opportunity has come up to work in squash and he has taken that.

At school Rider played cricket, rugby and hockey. Born near South Elmsall (the Pontefract legions can call him one of their own) in Yorkshire, Rider later moved to Cleckheaton, where his father was vicar at St John’s. When he was seven the family moved to London. Rider’s father changed career to teach at the City of London public school in Blackfriars (which co-incidentally former SRA CEO Stuart Courtney attended) and Nick went to Hollymouth Primary near Wimbledon. His broad West Yorkshire accent combined with a broad South London one may have provided some confusion but it proved no impediment and young Rider quickly adapted in the classroom and on the sports field. Later he attended Wimbledon Chase middle school and then Raynes Park High comprehensive, a former grammar school with a good sporting tradition.

On the rugby field Rider was captain and fly-half, already developing the leadership skills and the tricky footwork that will be necessary around the counties. At cricket he was a batsman and in hockey, which was to become his main sport, he was a mid-field general.

“I was captain of hockey,” he says. “Not quick enough for a forward and not ugly enough to be a defender.”

In class he studied Latin, Greek, French and General Studies for his A levels and went off to Kent University at Canterbury. Rider’s weeks were filled with Law and French and weekends with sport – primarily hockey. He left with a BA (joint honours) and went to work for Marathon Oil, including a year on an oil platform in an administrative office.

“Really,” he says, “I wanted a career in sport and saw the position of Director of Regions advertised at the Sports Council.”

Rider’s application was successful and so he started his career at the Sports Council in Euston while he  played hockey at the Spencer Club in Wandsworth, in the South Regional League.

For three years Rider managed regional officers, then moved to head of financial planning for the Sports Council and later became a Governing Body Manager or liaison officer with responsibility for squash, cricket, amateur boxing, volleyball and angling.

In 1996 Rider married Alison, a former lacrosse player from a keen sporting family, who works as a self-employed PR Consultant. They have two young girls, Isabel aged five and Molly who is two.

The Riders are looking forward to the move to Manchester. He explains that he has been at the Sports Council for over ten years and was starting to feel that it was time for a change when the opportunity at England Squash came up. Initially Rider will commute on a weekly basis. In the autumn he will look for a house and then move the family north. After a two-week holiday in the South of France he will be into the fray at England Squash on 9th September with the move of the offices to the new National Squash Centre first on the agenda in early October.

Rider is aware of the issues in the sport and says he is moving with his eyes open.

“I see my job as running the organisation, moving it forward and creating a framework. We need a structure,” he says.

“There is now the need to create a stable organisation. There are no reserves; there is a new membership scheme to make work and the need to develop sustainable income from within the game.”

His philosophy is that the Association needs to connect with the ordinary player and his strategy is to consult as widely as possible.

“It is an exciting opportunity,” he says. “I have the chance to make a difference. There is the opportunity to re-invent ourselves. We have the opportunity to be at the heart of squash.”

England Squash new CEO

Nick Rider with Ian McKenzie

England Squash Press Release

It is with pleasure that England Squash announce the appointment of Nick Rider as its new Chief Executive Officer, commencing work early September 2002. He will take over from the Acting CEO, Jeremy Lister.

Nick currently works for Sport England as Senior Governing Bodies Manager, responsible for a number of sports, including squash. In 12 years with Sport England, he has held a number of roles and has wide experience that he will bring with him.

Having qualified with a BA (Joint Honours) degree in Law and French from the University of Kent, he worked 7 years for Marathon Oil UK before joining The Sports Council (now Sport England).

He is 42 years old, married, with two young children, and has been a keen hockey player. More recently, he has been a voluntary official, as Club Secretary and County Representative.

Acting CEO Jeremy Lister,
President Mike Corby,
and new CEO Nick Rider

Introductions at the
Commonwealth Games